'I will never work with him': Shaista Jabeen fires back at Firdous Jamal

Veteran Pakistani actor Shaista Jabeen has spoken out strongly against fellow senior actor Firdous Jamal, distancing herself from him and sharply criticising his recent controversial comments about legendary figures in the industry.

Appearing on a morning show hosted by Nadia Khan and Zohaib Hassan, Shaista Jabeen addressed the backlash surrounding Firdous Jamal’s remarks about senior actors, including his comments on the late Talat Hussain and Abid Ali.

Firdous Jamal had recently faced criticism after a podcast appearance in which he reportedly dismissed Talat Hussain’s work as “rarely inspiring” and referred to Abid Ali as a “type actor,” triggering widespread debate across the entertainment industry.

Responding to the controversy, Shaista Jabeen said she strongly disagrees with his perspective and made it clear that she does not intend to work with him again.

She stated that personality and professionalism are separate traits, suggesting that talent alone is not enough if behaviour does not align with industry respect and ethics.

She also recalled past interactions, saying she had already emotionally distanced herself after working with him previously.

Shaista Jabeen further alleged that she had witnessed inappropriate remarks about women in professional settings, saying it made her uncomfortable and reinforced her decision to keep her distance.

Defending senior artists like Talat Hussain and Abid Ali, she emphasised that their reputations were built over decades of hard work and could not be undermined by personal opinions.

She praised Talat Hussain’s legacy, calling it irreplaceable, and spoke warmly about Abid Ali’s professionalism and grounded personality based on her own experience working with him.

Beyond the controversy, she also opened up about broader industry issues, including repetitive drama scripts, lack of originality, and delays in actor payments.

In a lighter but telling moment, she remarked that actors are often forced to “request” their salaries, highlighting ongoing financial and administrative challenges in the industry.

Shaista Jabeen also commented on changing set culture, saying younger actors sometimes struggle with feedback and mentorship, stressing the importance of learning from senior performers.

She added that she prefers to stay focused on her work and personal life rather than engaging in constant industry disputes, even as debates around professionalism in Pakistani entertainment continue to intensify.